Tokyo, Japan/ New York, NY, U.S. – April 27/26, 2012 – Asahi Kasei Corporation (TSE1: 3407, hereinafter: Asahi Kasei), Japan’s leading diversified chemical manufacturer with businesses in the health care, chemicals & fibers, homes & construction materials, and electronics sectors, announced today the successful completion of its acquisition of ZOLL Medical Corporation (hereinafter: ZOLL), a major US manufacturer of medical devices for critical care, on April 26, 2012, US Eastern time.

On March 12, 2012, Asahi Kasei announced a tender offer for shares of ZOLL, through a US subsidiary.  All procedures related to this acquisition were completed on April 26, 2012, US Eastern time, and ZOLL became a wholly owned consolidated subsidiary of Asahi Kasei.

As a result, ZOLL’s stock will cease to be traded on the NASDAQ market, and ZOLL will no longer have reporting obligations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  ZOLL will continue to be managed by its current management team.